Bluff Point

4" x 2" oil on board

Bluff Point

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This is a recent landscape magnet that sold at the Hygienic Art=Gift Show. The painting was inspired by a sunset I saw while hiking at Bluff Point Park in Groton, CT. The show is on until December 20 in New London.

Bluff Point Sunset and On The Way Home

Landscape Magnets

4" x 2" oil on board

"Bluff Point Sunset"

4" x 2" Oil on board

"On The Way Home"

These two paintings are part of a series of landscapes done as magnets. They were a lot of fun and a challenge to paint since they were so small, but this size required me to simplify their shapes of color and value.

To see all these small oil paintings, this series will be exhibited in the Holiday Art Show at the Hygenic Gallery in New London CT. The reception is November 21, 2009 from 7 - 10 pm. And if you cannot make this reception, the art by me and other artists will be exhibited thru December 20, 2009.

The address is 79-83 Bank St in New london.

Dates open: Thursday 11-3. Friday 11 - 6. Saturday 11 -6 and Sunday 12 - 3,

phone 860- 443-8001 http://www.hygienic.org/

Lets Go, Red Dog

6 x 6" oil on board

I met this dog and its owner in New Haven, CT while they were both getting exercise on a sunny day. He was a muscular, healthy looking animal with a very regal carriage. When I asked the owner what breed he was, she said, "Just dog, adopted from a local pound." I really enjoyed creating an oil painting of him and capturing his spirit and strength.

Update: to purchase this painting go to my auction on ebay:

http://myworld.ebay.com/jholderartworks/

Building a Pochade Box

bottom of box with t-nut inset for tripod attachment

hinge detail

This is a pochade painting box I started building two years ago, and just recently finished after reading and viewing Jim Serrett's blog. His blog http://www.pochadeboxpaintings.com/2009/02/how-to-build-your-own-pochade-box.html gives detailed directions with great photos of how to build the pochade box and panel carrier. I also constructed a carrier which looks pretty much like his so I did not photograph mine. I have a small $100.00 table saw that I use but one can go to a real lumber yard if possible and pay to have the major pieces cut if you do not have a table saw. Since I made my box over a period of time, I do not know how much time it took and I did not keep track of the cost. I enjoyed making it and Jim's cost seems fairly accurate. (Scavenged materials probably helped keep the cost of mine down.) Thank you Jim for your great directions.

I put my hinge together about two years ago from brass pieces I found after looking at a lot of photos of ready-made pochade boxes. . It actually seems to hold if I make sure to tighten it well. I will probably use a small bungee sometimes to hold a painting instead of the two wood pieces in the photo. If I paint a small 4 x 6" painting I cannot use the bungee, as it is too big to hold the panel tight. I then have to use the two pieces of 1/4" thich wood pieces that slide up tight to the 4 x 6 painting. I am gradually fine tuning the box.

Chicken Little

5" x 7" monotype print

This is a recent monotype print that I did from a sketch done at the Groton Family Farm in Groton CT., www.grotonfamilyfarm.com. 

The print is one of the works I will be exhibiting and selling at the 2009 Autumn Art Trail Weekend in Clinton CT on Oct. 10-11.  I will have a tent at the Outdoor Art Festival on the Clinton Landing 54 E. Main st., Clinton CT behind the town hall.  The event is sponsored  by http://www.artscenterkillingworth.org. If you are in the area come and see me!